Rob's Blog (Free subscription) | 31/10/2009
Many of you, reading my tweets will realise that I am somewhat a fan of the X Factor and and especially Stacey - although I think Danyl pretty good too. The X Factor is one of those Marmite programmes - you either love it or hate it . So much so, I had an argument with a friend of mine the other day, who could not believe I watched such programmes. My friend's view was that X Factor, Britain's Got...
Rob's Blog (Free subscription) | 24/10/2009
The packaging industry often gets a bad press green-wise, but yesterday, I went to a company that deeply cares for our environment. I was invited to visit Roydon Packaging Factory in the Pinnacles . The company is a major manufacturer of cardboard packages to major businesses and retailers. It was an education for me to see first stage of cardboard arriving from a Mill, being moved from a fork lift...
Rob's Blog (Free subscription) | 11/10/2009
What is the difference between a society that is civilised and one that is ruled by barbarians? I thought of the answer to this question yesterday, as I attended a special event organised by the Harlow Branch of St John's Ambulance . We were assembled to bless two new ambulances, that local members and volunteers had spent months, raising thousands of pounds in order to pay for them. A local priest,...
Rob's Blog (Free subscription) | 08/10/2009
I have just come back from the Conservative Conference in Manchester and it was a long drive from the North West back to Essex. But it was well worth it. I have been there since last weekend, to attend as a representative from Harlow Conservatives, and as the Parliamentary Candidate. It was quite a sober week. Although the Conservatives are way ahead in the opinion polls, the party leadership refuse...
Rob's Blog (Free subscription) | 03/10/2009
I was really privileged to have been invited today to the opening of Harlow Gymnastics Club new premises and asked to cut the ribbon in the Sumners Leisure Centre , where their new home is. I first visited HGC some months ago, when the Club faced an uncertain future (it was based in the Sports Centre). I was pleased to meet Gordon and Peter who run the club, and some of the members - and was glad to...
Rob's Blog (Free subscription) | 22/09/2009
I was in Portcullis House today (the building above Westminster Tube Station that serves as MPs offices by Parliament), for a meeting, and came across a short exhibition of the history of Big Ben, which is now celebrating its 150th year . Looking through the exhibits, I couldn't help be struck by the sheer heroism, determination and human genius of those who were determined to ensure that the great...
Rob's Blog (Free subscription) | 21/09/2009
I received the below email, this evening from the British Legion : The Royal British Legion Dear Mr Robert Halfon Thank you for pledging to do your bit for the whole Armed Forces family beyond the next general election. You will soon be sent a pledge card through the post, showing that you have pledged to do your bit, and which you can show to voters whilst canvassing. For more information explore...
Rob's Blog (Free subscription) | 09/09/2009
It is interesting that Labour is so quick to denounce Tory proposed 'cuts' (often mythical) to public services, yet remain so quiet when genuine, Government cut-backs hit vital public services. For example, only a week or so ago, Harlow Learning Shops, closed due to lack of funding . Learning Direct, was an excelllent service because it enabled many young people across Harlow to be given special skills...
Rob's Blog (Free subscription) | 31/08/2009
On Saturday morning, I had a very good meeting with Bill Lewis, Captain of a local gun sports club . Bill has been a gun sporting enthusiast since he was a youth and has a great passion for the sport. He had written to me about the problems that gun sportsmen face because of the bans on certain types of guns. The problem is that Government restrictions on handgun use are so tight that gun sportsmen...
Rob's Blog (Free subscription) | 27/08/2009
Every time I fill my car up with petrol, I have a renewed sense of dread - as prices seem to be going ever upwards - substantially by the day. My car is diesel (a Kia ), and only last week, when I was in Darlington , it was £1.01 a litre. Today, passing a BP garage in Central London, diesel was £1.09/litre. Admittedly, BP is usually the most expensive petrol company, but nevertheless, the...
Rob's Blog (Free subscription) | 23/08/2009
What can be better than to spend a beautiful Summers Day in Hatfield Forest ? After visiting today with Vanda, I can conclude that their are few more delightful ways to spend a Sunday. The National Trust have owned the land since 1924 and have taken great care to preserve the beauty of the area . Everywhere you go, there are sights of the most marvellous trees, all in rumbustious health. The lake is...
Rob's Blog (Free subscription) | 23/08/2009
Yes, the spelling is correct for this new film about Nazi hunters , which I went to see last night at Harlow Cineworld with Vanda. It was a great effort by Mr Tarantino and definitely his best film yet. A cross between ' The Dirty Dozen ', ' Where Eagles dare ' and Tarantino previous , the film tells the story of an American Unit sent to decapitate Nazis across Europe, literally , no scalps spared....
Rob's Blog (Free subscription) | 22/08/2009
If you have any doubts about the true nature of the regime in Iran, read this article in The Times today. It will make you weep. It shows how ruthless the regime has been in eliminating opposition to President Ahmanidejad - and explains why despite 'fixing the election', the Iranian 'Twitter' Revolution was crushed. And this so-called Government is on the threshold of having a nuclear weapon capability....
Rob's Blog (Free subscription) | 20/08/2009
I was very privileged today as I was invited to the Oval to watch England V Australia, on the first day of the Fifth Ashes Test . I haven't ever been to watch cricket at the Oval before (although I did once go some years ago to watch Australian Rules - a really crazy game). It was a lovely way to spend a Thursday, and although England didn't play with as much passion as I would have liked, there were...
Rob's Blog (Free subscription) | 20/08/2009
As you will see from a comment from Jeff Dalmoro , in my last blog posting , the news today announced the punishment given by the Judge to the two English women, Shanti Andrews and Rebecca Turner, alleged to have falsified their insurance claims. They have been spared a prison sentence and instead have to do two hours of community work a day, in Brazil, for the next eight months . It is a sad case,...
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